57 pages • 1-hour read
Jayber Crow
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Essay Topics
Outline Jayber’s description of the value of a simple life. What does it mean to him to make something of himself? How does that philosophy bring him into conflict with the world around him?
Jayber extols the virtues of living in a small town. What are some of the downsides of living this way? Does Jayber ignore these realities?
Define Transcendentalism. How is this text informed by that movement? How do Jayber’s lifestyle and theologies match up with transcendental philosophy?
Is the text more philosophical or emotional? Explain your reasoning with examples from the text.
How does the text mirror aspects of Wendell Berry’s personal life? In what ways is it autobiographical?
Review the notice given by the author in the front matter of the text. What is meant by this statement? Should it be interpreted as humorous or taken seriously? Can the book be read without extracting a symbolic meaning?
Analyze the character of Troy. Is he truly villainous or just a product of his time and circumstances?
Jayber has complicated relationships with women in the novel. Compare and contrast his relationship with Clydie to that of Mattie. Why is his tense relationship with Cecelia Overhold so burdensome to him?
The author is opposed to progress, especially when it involves agricultural processes. Are there any examples of beneficial progress in the novel?
Jayber admits to being changed by his life not the other way around. He accedes to being carried along by his circumstances. Is this true or is the narrator unaware of the consequences of some if not all of his choices? Is he subject to fate or does he have agency in the process?
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